I’ve never headed to HolmdelPark for the Meet of Champions with so many question swirling around in my head about who is going to win the team title.

But this year is unlike any other as no one team, or two teams, or even three teams has seperated themselves.

For most of season it looked like this was set up for a two-horse race between CBA and Haddonfield.

My how things have changed on the way to the starting gate.

After Don Bosco Prep’s 44-60 upset win over CBA in the Non-Public A race combined with West Windsor-Plainsboro North’s three-man frontal attack, I have no clue what to expect in what is shaping up to be a wild four-team scramble

Thrown in dark horses Westfield, the Group 4 champion, Group 4 runner-up Ridge, and Millburn (if they are healthy), it this race hass the makings of an instant classic.

This will be a showdown between the top four teams from last year’s M of C. WWN won last year with 41 points. Don Bosco was secpnd with 59. CBA third with 138 and Haddonfield was fourth with 139.

It really comes down to this.

Can CBA bounce back from its worst race of the year? Can Don Bosco Prep run even better than last week? Will Haddonfield or defending champion West Windsor-Plainsboro North solve their fifth man issues?

CBA is 1-1 vs. Haddonfield and Don Bosco Prep this seaosn beating both when it won the Eastern title. Haddonfield is 1-0 vs Don Bosco, and West Windsor North haas yet to race those teams.

I really wish I could figure out which of the above teams will comd out on top, but I really have no clue which way this will go.

And neither do the coaches or runners of the contending teams.

Heath was still stinging from last week’s loss when I spoke to him this week, and was kind of a loss for what to expect from his team.

``I have no idea what is going to happen,’’ said CBA coach Tom Heath. whose team is seeking to extend its state record to 16 M of V titles. ``I have no clue how we’re going to run. I just can’t figure out what to expect. Anything can happen.I’d love to say that I we’ll come back and run a greta race, but I really just don’t know.’’

CBA junior front runner Mike Mazzaccaro looked at things this way.

``We need 7 guys to do their job,’’ he said. ``That's what the other 15 CBA teams needed to win. The recipe does not change.’’

Do you and your team feel that you have something to prove in this race?``We’re CBA,’’ continued Mazzaccaro. ``We feel we have something to prove everytime we line up.’’

Don Bosco Prep coach Kevin Kilduff feels each team is dangerous in its own way.

``CBA is too good not to run better, and on past performance (Easterns), they are very formidable and will run better,’’ said Kilduff, who led Don Bosco to the M of C title in 2007. ``West Windsor is as good up front as any team in America, and if they get a good race from 1-5, they will be very hard to beat. Haddonfield is a classic top-notch XC team, with a very good front runner and fine depth behind Jon Vitez.

I would say that CBA has the best overall depth, as well as a fine front runner in Mike Mazzacaro. If they run their race, I would look at them as the favorites, though Haddonfield and WW will be nipping at their heels.’’

What about Don Bosco’s chances.

``We need to have excellent races from our front three( all are capable of going sub-16:10); our number four runner really needs to close the gap on the top three and we need a good race from one of our sophomores, hopefully around 17:00. If that happens, we should be in the thick of things,’’ said Kilduff.

Kilduff said it rally just boils down to one thing.

``It's simple. The team whose runners put it together at the same time will come out on top. West Windsor did that last year and any of the aforementioned four teams has the talent to win on Saturday if they run to their potential.’’

West Windsor North coach Brian Gould, who should get a 1-2 finish from junior twins Joe and Jim Rosa and a potential top finish from senior Jon Squeri, sees CBA as the team to beat.

``CBA has the big edge. Their pack is so strong and they have great tradition. I think they’ll be on a mission this weekend. Haddonfield has the best top 4 in the state, and Bosco is running great when it counts. I wouldn’t count out Millburn, Westfield, or Ridge. Our guys are going to have to rise to the occasion for us to compete with those teams,’’ said Gould.

``State Championships are won with 4th-7th men. Tradition goes a long way too – CBA is a GREAT team. Haddonfield is very strong also and Bosco is running their best right now. Those are the top 3 teams to beat in my eyes.’’

What does West Windsor North have to do to win its second straight title.

``We need our young guys to step up and do the best they’re capable of on that day,’’ said Gould. ``If they run their best race and our top 4 guys do what they’ve done all year that’s all we can ask for. The points and places will work themselves out. I want to see 7 guys show courage and guts and be warriors on race day.’’d It’s going to be a lot different than last year when the race quickly came down to two teams. With 5 good teams in the running 4th and 5th men are so important. Focusing in on doing our best is all we can control. We’re not worried about what other teams do. My guys have been working hard all season and they’re focused on running as hard as they can and finishing at their best. We’ll see where that puts us.’’

As defending champs, does that provide any extra motivation to win again?? ``No extra motivation is needed. Winning this thing last year was awesome. No one wants to get worse. This year is going to be much tougher but these guys want to do their best because of the work they’ve put in. Last year is in the past’’.Does Gould feel WWPN has something to prove since most people felt they couldn't win this again after losing great runners like Ryan Sleeper, Anthony Lee, and Tyler Corkedale? ``Our team t-shirts say “Succisa Virescit”, it means “Cut down, we grow again.” Jon Squeri found that quote and I think it is perfect for this team. No one thinks we can win this thing. Everyone who thinks we’re an underdog is right. CBA and Haddonfield are better teams than us and I’m sure no one wants to beat us more than Bosco.’’

``We’re looking up at the best teams, but I’m optimistic that our guys will rise to the occasion and compete in the race,’’ said Gould. `` No one is concerned with proving anything to anyone but themselves. That’s what cross country is all about.’’

Holmdel course record holder Joe Rosa, the favoriteto win the race, feels this team battle should ne a wild one.

``This team race is going to be insane. I think any one of those 4 teams you mentioned could come out on top, along with Millburn assuming their healthy again. It’s really gonna come down to the 4th and fifth man for most teams because its hard to get that big of an advantage up front.’’``There's really not a heavy favorite. Last year we kind of knew it was gonna be a battle with us and Don Bosco, but this year, we don't even know who to look out for. We have to look out for everyone. The key for us is going to be our fourth and fifth man, but it really seems like that’s what it’s going to come down to for all the team.’’

West Windsor North has a very good chance of breaking its course record average of 16:14.2 that it set when it won the M of C last year.

``I have played around a little with seeing what we could average just for fun and I think average wise we can improve from last year,’’ said Rosa. ``With that in mind though, getting the average and not even winning would just be disappointing to us, moreso than a consolation prize.’’Is Rosa surprised to find WWPN in position to possibly win agaon after losing three of its top fiove runners to graduation,

``Coach Gould, Jim, Squeri and I talked at the end of spring track last year about some of our goals for cross country this year. At first we were thinking there’s no way we can repeat as champs, but then as the season progressed and our guys at the back of the pack kept improving, we've been feeling more and more optimistic and we feel we can be a real contender if we give it everything we have. I don't think being defending champs really helps us out to much because its a new year, but we'll definitely give it everything we have to keep the title at North.’’

Haddonfield coach Nick Baker breaks it down this way:

``I agree that Haddonfield and WWPN are strong up front and DBP and CBA pack it in better. I think the numer 4 runners from Haddonfield, WWP and DBP will be the key to the race,’’ said Baker. ``A team that pits it all together and steps up to take the race will win. Just like the last few years, the teamsa that won all had great races on the day when it counted most.’’

Haddonfield undefeated star runner Jon Vitez added his thoughts.

``Saturday will be an exciting and extremely close race no matter what,’’ he said. ``Either one of the four teams could win it, and it will come down to who runs the best on Saturday. If the weather holds up, I imagine times will be fast and it will take a superb effort to win.

For us to win, we are going to have to keeps our gaps close. I'm going to try and do my thing up front for us, but then we need Colin, Matt, and Ben to run together, and we need our next pack of three to work together as well. The race is going to be hard enough as is, but if you get stuck running alone it makes it that much harder. Our team will have to work together if we are going to win.’’

TALE OF THE TAPE

Here’s some tid bits on each of the top four teams along with the top five runners and their Holmdel PR’s

Don Bosco Prep is seeking its second M of C title in three years. Above is Don Bosco's 2007 M of C winning team.

No. 1 DON BOSCO PREP

Ranked 21st in the nation.

Won Meet of Champions titles in 1992 and 2007.

Finished second last year to WWPN, 41-59. and was sixth at Nike Nationals in 2008.

Lost All-State runners Rob Molke and Leighton Spencer to graduation.

This year: 1-1 vs CBA. 0-1 vs. Haddonfield. 0-0 vs. WWN.

COACH: Kevin Kilduff

TOP 5

Michael Belgiovine, Sr., 16:15

Rafael Vargas, Sr., 16:18

Howie Rosas, Sr. 16:19

Erik Lapinski, Jr. 17:03

Brandon Baxter, Soph. 17:13

Haddonfield is trying to win its second M of C title. Pictured above is the 2001 M of C winning team.

No. 2 HADDONFIELD

Ranked 28th in the nation.

Won only Meet of Champions title in 2001 with a very unique formula. Haddonfield put three runners under 16 and two over 17. Finished fourth last year, one point behind CBA.

This year:1-1 vs. CBA. 1-0 vs. Don Bosco. 0-0- vs. WWPN.

COACH: Nick Baker:

TOP 5

Jon Vitez, Sr. 15:57

Matt Nussbaum, Sr. 16:29

Ben Potts, Jr., 16:31

Colin Baker, Sr. 16:37

Etahn Quanci, Jr. 17:31

Note: Senior Ray Schlitt, who ran 17:57 last week, has a Holmdel best of 16:56, which he ran at the M of C last year.

CBA, seen here celebrating its victory at the Manhattan Invitational last month, will try to extend its state record to 16 M of C titles.

No. 3 CBA

Ranked 25th in the nation

Have won a record 15 M of C titles, all under coach Tom Heath (no other team has won more than 4).

Last title came in 2005 when it ran then course record average of16:14.9.

Won the M of C title in 1990 after losing to Don Bosco in Parochial A race.

Finished third last year, one point aheasd of Haddonfield

This year: 1-1 vs. Don Bosco and Haddonfield. 0-0 vs. WWPN.

COACH: Tom Heath

TOP 5

Mike Mazzacccaro, Jr., 15:59

Dan Bailey, Sr., 16:08

Dan Mykityshyn,Jr.16:39

Mark Lee, Sr. 16:37

Rich Bohny, Sr., 16:48

William Villa, Jr. 16:54

Colin Johnson, Sr., 17:00

Note: At the Non Public A race, Mazzaccaro was the only run that ran a p.r. Everyone else was way off. Bailey was at 16:45, Mykityshyn 16:47, Johnson 17:19, Villa 17:20, Lee 17:21,andBohny 17:44.

West Windsor-Plainsboro North will be shooting for its second straight Meet of Champions title. Pictured above is its 2008 M of C winning team

No. 4 WEST WINDSOR-PLAINSBORO NORTH

Ranked 40th in the nation.

Won M of C last year and set course record average with a 16:14.2.

Won the Nike NE title and was fifth at Nike Nationals last year. Graduated three of top 5, but still have twins Joe and Jim Rosa, the state’s top ranked runners.

This year: Haven’t raced CBA, Haddonfield or Don Bosco Prep yet.

COACH: Brian Gould

TOP 5

Joe Rosa, Jr., 15:04

Jim Rosa, Jr. 15:16

Jon Squeri, Sr., 16:00

Casey Dalrymple, Jr., 16:51

Danny Lee, Soph., 17:42

So who is going to win this thing?????

I'm going with CBA. I agree with Gould that tradition goes a long. But the main reason I am going with CBA is because they have always shown the ability to bouce back after tough losses under Heath’s leadership. But even more importantly, these are the same runners that were No. 1 in the state for five weeks after handily beating both Haddonfield and Don Bosco at the Eastern Championship on Oct. 10. They are just too good to run a poor race two weeks in a row.

Having said all that, I won’t be surprised if any of the Big Four win. The only thing that will surprise me is if it’s not one of the closest and most dramatic team finish we’ve ever seen at Holmdel.